Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Rare anti-Sisi protests lead to crackdown, arrests in Egypt Small and sporadic groups of protesters responded to Egyptian contractor Mohamed Ali's calls to demonstrate, followed by arrests in predominantly poor rural areas. Egypt
Egypt rallies Arab states against Turkey in Syria Cairo is capitalizing on anger over the Turkish intervention in Syria to unite the Arab ranks in support of Damascus. Egypt
Egypt boosts naval power in deal with German shipbuilder Egypt is getting ready to start building its first locally manufactured frigate with the help of Germany. Egypt
Lebanon rocked by another explosion in Hezbollah stronghold A security source told Reuters that an arms depot belonging to Hezbollah exploded due to a "technical error." Lebanon
Intel: Russia to pursue military cooperation with Iran once arms embargo expires Iran's foreign minister, who mocked US efforts to renew the embargo, is headed to Moscow Thursday. Russia
Zarif says retaliation for Soleimani killing still to come Iranian Foreign Minister Mohmmad Javad Zarif described the former IRGC commander as a "hero for the region" as Iranian leaders make vague threats of retaliation. United States
East-Med Gas Forum evolves as Israel, Egypt enhance cooperation Israel’s Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz and six others sign the charter of the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum, which brings cooperation with other partners into a second, concrete phase. Palestine
In Washington, Gantz all about US snapback sanctions on Iran Israel’s Defense Minister Benny Gantz is in Washington today busily encouraging the administration to move ahead with its snapback sanctions move. Israel
'Guardians of Religion' extremist group under siege in Syria's Idlib The Guardians of Religion Organization, which has close ties to al-Qaeda in Syria, is under pressure from US drone strikes and a possible assault by Russian-backed Syrian forces. Syria
Intel: Libya to resume oil production at facilities without militia, Wagner fighters Tripoli's parliament says it is not on board with a deal struck with with Hifter's son in Russia last week. Libya
IDF to set up field clinics as Israel's hospitals overflow As the number of infections continues to rise, Defense Minister Benny Gantz has ordered the Israeli army to prepare to run field hospitals to treat coronavirus patients. Israel
US imposes sweeping new Iran sanctions as Security Council ignores snapback attempt Nearly every UN Security Council member state says the United States lacks the legal authority to reimpose sanctions on Iran. United States
